Emsam transdermal

Antidepressantmedications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other important benefits. However, studies have shown that a small number of people (especially people younger than 25) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. Therefore, it is very important to talk with the doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication (especially for people younger than 25), even if treatment is not for a mental/mood condition.

Tell the doctor immediately if you notice worsening depression/other psychiatric conditions, unusual behavior changes (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes (including new/worsening anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, very rapid speech). Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed.

This medication is not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years due to an increased risk of serious side effects (such as extremely high blood pressure).

Uses

Selegiline is an antidepressant (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) that treats depression by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain. Selegiline can improve your mood and feelings of well-being. This medication is a patch for use on the skin.

How to use Emsam transdermal

Read the Medication Guide available from your pharmacist before you start using selegiline and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Follow the package instructions for using this medication. Make sure you understand how to apply a new patch and dispose of the used product. Do not cut the patch into smaller sizes. Do not use the patch if it appears broken, cut or damaged. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Before applying the patch, wash the area you will be using for the patch gently and thoroughly with soap and water. Rinse and dry with a clean dry towel. Do not apply the patch to hairy/oily/red/cut/irritated/broken or scarred/calloused skin. Remove the patch from the foil pouch and apply as directed by the manufacturer. Apply one patch to an area of clean dry skin on the upper body (torso), upper thigh, or on the outside of the upper arm where it will not be rubbed by tight clothing. Change the patch daily at about the same time each day. Apply the patch to a different area on your body each time to avoid irritation. If your patch falls off, apply a new patch to a new area and continue on your same schedule.

Be sure to remove the old patch, fold it in half so it sticks to itself, and throw it away out of the reach of children and pets. Do not touch the sticky side with your fingers. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling the patch.

To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may start you at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Usually, your daily dose will not be more than 12 milligrams. Once your condition improves and you are better for a while, your doctor may work with you to reduce your regular dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not apply more patches or leave the patch on for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster and your risk of side effects will increase.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. It may take several weeks for the full benefits of this medication to be noticed. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.

Dizziness, drowsiness, redness/irritation at the application site, tiredness, weakness, problems sleeping, constipation, and dry mouth may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

This drug may rarely cause an attack of extremely high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis), which may be fatal. Many drug and food interactions can increase this risk (See also Drug Interaction section.) Stop using selegiline and get medical help right away if any of these very serious side effects occur: frequent/severe headache, fast/slow/irregular/pounding heartbeat, chest pain, neck stiffness/soreness, severe nausea/vomiting, sweating/clammy skin (sometimes with fever), enlarged pupils, sudden sensitivity to light (photophobia).

This medication may increase serotonin and rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take. Get medical help right away if you develop some of the following symptoms: hallucinations, unusual restlessness, loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, severe dizziness, unexplained fever, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscle.

Precautions

See also Warning section.

Before using selegiline, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

To minimize dizziness and the risk of fainting, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Avoid exposing your skin to direct heat sources such as heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, heated water beds, or prolonged direct sunlight while wearing your selegiline patch. Heat sources may cause more drug to be released into your body, increasing the chance of side effects.

If you are going to have an MRI test, tell testing personnel that you are using this patch. Some patches may contain metals that can cause serious burns during an MRI. Ask your doctor whether you will need to remove your patch before the test and apply a new patch afterward, and how to do so properly.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist you are on this medication. You may need to stop using this drug beforehand. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

If you have diabetes, selegiline may make it more difficult to control your blood sugar levels. Check your blood sugar levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of high/low blood sugar such as increased thirst or urination, hunger, unexplained sweating. Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the effects on blood pressure.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Since untreated mental/mood problems (such as depression) can be a serious condition, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medication during pregnancy.

It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Examples include street drugs such as MDMA/"ecstasy," St. John's wort, dextromethorphan, certain antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, SNRIs such as duloxetine/venlafaxine, TCAs such as amitriptyline/doxepin), certain narcotic medications (such as meperidine, methadone, pentazocine, propoxyphene, tramadol, tapentadol), among others. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of these drugs.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using any of these medications before, during, or within 2 weeks after treatment with selegiline. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have taken fluoxetine during at least 5 weeks before starting selegiline. Discuss with your doctor how much time to wait between starting or stopping any of these drugs and taking selegiline.

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy, cough-and-cold products, diet pills) because they may contain dextromethorphan, decongestants, or stimulants. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

It is very important that you follow special dietary restrictions in order to limit the amount of tyramine in your diet if you are using the higher strength patches (9 or 12 milligrams). Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas) or eating large amounts of chocolate. Caffeine can increase the side effects of this medication. Foods and beverages high in tyramine should be avoided while you are using this medication and for at least 2 weeks after you stop using this medication.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you notice symptoms of high blood pressure such as fast/slow heartbeat, vomiting, sweating, headache, chest pain, sudden vision changes, weakness on one side of the body, or slurred speech.

Overdose

This medication patch may be harmful if chewed or swallowed. If overdose or swallowing is suspected, remove the patch if possible, and contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood pressure) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is close to the time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not apply 2 doses to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not open the foil pouch until you are ready to use the patch. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed (See How to Use section).

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised March 2015. Copyright(c) 2015 First Databank, Inc.

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Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, expect as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

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